Post-Draft: Bears interior defensive line depth chart projections

How will the Chicago Bears interior defensive line depth chart play out?

Now that the NFL draft is over it is time to start looking to rookie camps, OTAs and training camp. The 90-man roster is now set so the time to speculate about who will be in what spot, and who may make the 53-man roster is here. In this series, we will go position by position to project the potential depth chart of the Bears come August. This edition will focus on interior defensive lineman and will go by the projected amount of snaps played this season.

1. Akiem Hicks

Hicks was the one consistent rock for the Bears defense last season. Hicks saw injuries plague every level of the depth chart, including the spots next to him. However, he held strong and played all 16 games. Hicks recorded 54 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles to lead the Bears as a force in the front. There is no doubt that heading into next season Hicks is the leader of this unit.

2. Eddie Goldman

Goldman may have a higher ceiling than Hicks, but he has yet to reach it. Of course, Goldman has also only played for two seasons. As a rookie, Goldman began his explosion onto the scene to become a known quantity. He recorded 4.5 sacks in 12 games which was a positive start. However, last season injury derailed his season before he even got started. Goldman only started five games and was active for six. With just 17 starts in two years, the hope is to get a 16 start season in year three and to really see what the team has in Goldman.

3. Jaye Howard

Howard was just signed recently from Kansas City, but he should bring a bigger impact than anybody except Goldman and Hicks. Howard was waived injured by the Chiefs, and it is a hip injury so there is something to watch with him. However, the Bears got him on the cheap, their doctors clearly felt he was capable of playing, and now they have a very talented player on a potential bargain of a deal for this season.

4. Jonathan Bullard

Last season Bullard showed flashes of hot and cold. He has a great explosion and is able to use burst and push to get into the backfield. However, he is inconsistent in finding the ball and reading plays, making him a sucker for draws or misdirection. The hope is that he has improved mentally by seeing the field some last season, and can be a relied upon backup next season.

5. Mitch Unrein

Unrein saw more snaps than Bullard last season, but as mentioned Bullard has the higher upside. In terms of assignments, Unrein may be more relied upon at the moment. Still, he does not bring a physical upside and the best he can bring is to hold up offensive lineman. The addition of Howard and the

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hope for Bullard show the team has little invested in the long term development of Unrein.

6. John Jenkins

Jenkins is a former starter on the New Orleans Saints defense. However, last season he was cut after seven games and only posted one start in that time. The Seahawks gave him a shot for two weeks, but he failed to make an impact. Still, when looking at the defensive line depth, Unrein and Bullard are the backups to Hicks and Howard, and they need a pure nose tackle to sub in for Goldman and be injury insurance. Jenkins is just at 346 pounds, at the worst can take snaps in a pinch.

7. C.J. Wilson

Last year injury thrust Wilson into more of a legitimate role than he has seen in most of his career. Wilson has been around for eight seasons and has 20 career starts, one coming last season. However, in the Bears additions of Jenkins and Howard, they clearly were not satisfied with the depth of the unit, and it may be Wilson seeing the biggest roster effect from the signings.

8. Kapron Lewis-Moore

Lewis-Moore is a defensive end who was on the Ravens practice squad last season. With injury questions surrounding Goldman and Howard he has a chance to see the field, but in a perfect world, he finds his way onto the Bears practice squad.

Next: Center Depth Chart Projections

9. Rashaad Coward

Coward is a run stuffer who has the size to make the NFL, but little technique or pass rushing ability. Coming from Old Dominion as an undrafted player it would be considered a win for Coward to make the practice squad this summer.

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